Before You Apply for YTB-IsDB — One Critical Fact Most Guides Don’t Mention

The YTB-IsDB Joint Scholarship covers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in Türkiye. But the financial structure is fundamentally different depending on the level — and most scholarship guides present it as uniformly “fully funded” without explaining this:

For Associate and Bachelor’s degree recipients, the scholarship is structured as a Qard-Hasan (interest-free loan). Graduates will repay the loan in easy installments after securing employment. The repayment is made to the IsDB Education Trust (IET), a waqf (trust fund) established in students’ home countries to support future scholars. Meanwhile, the scholarship for Master’s and PhD programs is provided as a full grant.

Bachelor’s level: Qard-Hasan — interest-free loan repaid after graduation when employed. Islamic finance principle no interest, no exploitation, but repayment is expected.

Master’s and PhD level: Full grant — no repayment. Permanently yours.

This distinction matters enormously for financial planning. A PhD student from Pakistan receiving YTB-IsDB funding leaves Türkiye with no financial obligation. A Bachelor’s student leaves with a repayment commitment, however manageable that commitment is.

With that essential clarification in place: the YTB-IsDB scholarship is one of the most comprehensive and accessible fully funded pathways to Turkish higher education available for students from 57 OIC member countries and Muslim communities globally.

The Türkiye Scholarships – IsDB Joint Scholarship Program is co-funded by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The program covers a monthly stipend, accommodation support, tuition fees, health insurance, a one-year Turkish language course, and a one-time round-trip airfare.

Applications close on 20 February 2026. Only online applications via the official platform are valid.

What Is YTB-IsDB — Two Institutions, One Program

YTB — Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities

YTB (Yurtdışı Türkler ve Akraba Topluluklar Başkanlığı) is a Turkish government agency under the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. Its primary mission is maintaining ties with Turks and related communities abroad, promoting Turkish culture and education globally.

YTB runs the broader Türkiye Scholarships program — one of the world’s largest government scholarship programs with over 100,000 applications annually and 5,000-7,000 awards per year. The YTB-IsDB Joint Scholarship is a specific track within the Türkiye Scholarships system.

IsDB — Islamic Development Bank

The Islamic Development Bank is a multilateral development financing institution headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It has 57 member countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe — all Muslim-majority or OIC member states. IsDB’s mission includes human capital development through education, research, and scholarship programs.

Why the Partnership Works

The YTB-IsDB partnership combines:

• Turkey’s world-class universities and scholarship administration infrastructure
• IsDB’s development mandate for OIC member countries and Muslim communities globally
• Shared commitment to SDG-aligned education in science, technology, and development

The program aims to enable high-achieving students from IsDB member countries and Muslim communities living in other countries to receive education at internationally recognized standards at prestigious universities in Türkiye.

Full Coverage Package — What YTB-IsDB Provides

The program covers students’ monthly stipend, accommodation support, tuition fees, health insurance, one-year Turkish language course and one-time round-trip flight ticket expenses.

Standard Package (All Levels):

Additional Benefits for Graduate Students:

A settlement allowance is granted to students who study abroad. Graduation thesis preparation allowance (for postgraduate students). Conference participation allowance, books and clothing allowance (for doctoral students). Allowance for preparing scientific papers (post-doctoral program).

The Qard-Hasan Mechanism — Bachelor’s Applicants Must Read This

For Associate and Bachelor’s degree recipients, the scholarship is structured as a Qard-Hasan (interest-free loan). Graduates will repay the loan in easy installments after securing employment. The repayment is made to the IsDB Education Trust (IET), a waqf (trust fund) established in students’ home countries to support future scholars.

What is Qard-Hasan? Qard-Hasan (Arabic: قرض حسن) literally means “benevolent loan” — an Islamic finance concept for a loan given without interest or profit motive. The lender provides money, the borrower repays the principal only, in a manner and timeline that does not cause hardship.

In the YTB-IsDB context:

• The IsDB funds your Bachelor’s education in Türkiye
• After you graduate and find employment, you repay the original amount (no interest)
• Your repayment goes into the IsDB Education Trust (IET) — a waqf fund in your home country
• That waqf fund is used to finance future scholars from your country
• The model is designed to be self-perpetuating — each graduating cohort funds the next

For Master’s and PhD: The scholarship is provided as a full grant — no repayment.

Practical implication: If you are choosing between Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD level and are eligible for multiple, apply at the highest eligible level to receive the full grant rather than the Qard-Hasan loan.

Eligible Countries — 57 IsDB Members + Muslim Communities

Applicants must be citizens of any IsDB member country or Muslim community.

57 IsDB Member Countries (OIC Members):

Asia (14): Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

South Asia specifically: Pakistan ✅, Bangladesh ✅, Afghanistan ✅, Maldives ✅

Southeast Asia: Indonesia ✅, Malaysia ✅, Brunei ✅

Africa (26+): Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda

Middle East (13): Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen

Note on Muslim communities in non-member countries: Students from Muslim communities in countries that are NOT IsDB members may also be eligible. This includes Muslim students from India, China, Russia, Ethiopia, and other non-OIC countries. Verify eligibility with the official portal.

Age Limits — Check Before Applying

Age Limit: For Undergraduate: 21 years. For Master’s Programs: 30 years. PhD programs not older than 35.

The undergraduate age limit is strict and low. At 21 or above, you cannot apply for Bachelor’s level — regardless of whether you have completed secondary school. For most international scholarship applicants (who are typically 22+), the Master’s and PhD tracks are the primary options.

Study Levels and Fields

Students can undertake their Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree from Turkey’s best universities.

All levels: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Post-Doctoral

Fields: Diverse disciplines, with a focus on science and technology subjects relevant to development — particularly SDG-aligned fields.

Priority fields: Engineering, natural sciences, medicine, agriculture, technology, sustainable development, economics, education.

All academic majors offered by Turkish universities are technically accessible but SDG-relevant and development-focused programs are strongest for competitive selection.

Application Window — January to February

Application Dates: 10 January – 20 February 2026. Applications to the joint scholarship program are accepted only through the Türkiye Scholarships official website.

2026 window: January 10 — February 20, 2026 (CLOSED)

2027 window (expected): January 2027 — February 20, 2027

This is a 40-day window much longer than the IsDB-France 10-15 day window, but much shorter than year-round scholarships. The January-February timing is consistent across cycles.

Important: The deadline is absolute — February 20, 2026, no extensions granted.

How to Apply — Step by Step

Create an account or log in to the Türkiye Scholarships online application system. Fill in your personal details, academic history, and other required information accurately. Select “Yes” under the Joint Scholarship Programs section to be considered for the YTB-IsDB Joint Scholarship. Upload all required documents. Review your application carefully. Submit before the deadline.

Step 1: Go to turkiyeburslari.gov.tr This is the ONLY valid application platform. Applications through any other website, email, agent, or postal service are automatically disqualified.

Step 2: Create or log in to your account Register with an active email address. Keep login credentials safe, you will need them throughout the process.

Step 3: Fill the application form Complete all sections: personal information, academic history, language proficiency, chosen study level and field.

Step 4: SELECT “YES” FOR JOINT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS Eligible candidates must select “Yes” under the Joint Scholarship Programs section to be considered for the YTB-IsDB Joint Scholarship.

This is the step most applicants miss. The YTB-IsDB program is a specific track within the general Türkiye Scholarships application, you must explicitly opt in. Without selecting “Yes” in this section, your application will be processed only as a regular Türkiye Scholarships application, not as a YTB-IsDB joint application.

Step 5: Upload all documents

• Valid passport or national ID
• Academic transcripts (all levels)
• Degree certificates
• Motivation letter
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Language proficiency certificates (if applicable)

Step 6: Submit before February 20 Online only, paper applications or emails will not be processed. Incomplete applications face automatic rejection.

Application languages: Applications can be submitted in 8 different languages: Turkish, Arabic, English, French, Russian, Bosnian, Persian, and Spanish.

This multi-language accessibility is unique among major international scholarships, enabling non-English speakers from Arabic, French, Persian, and Russian-speaking OIC countries to apply in their own language.

YTB-IsDB vs Standard Türkiye Scholarships — Key Differences

Many applicants confuse these two. They are related but distinct:

Should you apply to both? Yes, when applying to Türkiye Scholarships, you can simultaneously opt into the YTB-IsDB joint track by selecting “Yes” in the joint scholarship section. You are not submitting two separate applications, you are signaling eligibility for both within one application.

Country-Specific Guidance

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Pakistan is an OIC and IsDB member — fully eligible. Turkey-Pakistan relations are among the strongest bilateral partnerships anywhere, built on historical, cultural, religious, and political ties. Turkish universities are increasingly popular with Pakistani students. The YTB-IsDB scholarship provides a structured, institutionally co-funded pathway. Apply for Master’s or PhD to receive the full grant (not Qard-Hasan). Contact: Turkish Embassy Islamabad or the YTB office for Pakistan-specific guidance.

🇧🇩 Bangladesh

Bangladesh is an OIC and IsDB member — fully eligible. Bangladesh has a large and growing pool of students interested in Turkish education. Climate science, engineering, and public health programs align strongly with Bangladesh’s development context. Master’s/PhD recommended.

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and an active IsDB member. Turkey-Indonesia bilateral ties are strong. Indonesian students are one of the larger contingents in Turkish universities.

🇳🇬 Nigeria

Nigeria is an OIC and IsDB member. Nigeria Labour Congress has historical ties with Turkey. Nigerian students in medicine, engineering, and technology are competitive profiles for YTB-IsDB.

🇸🇴 Somalia

Turkey has the deepest bilateral reconstruction partnership in Somalia Mogadishu’s hospital, the military training academy, direct flights. For Somali students, Türkiye Burslari and YTB-IsDB are scholarships from a country that has demonstrated a national commitment to Somalia’s development.

🌍 Francophone OIC Africa (Mali, Senegal, Niger, Guinea, Burkina Faso, etc.)

The 8-language application (including French) makes this scholarship accessible for Francophone African students. French-speaking OIC members can apply and correspond in French.

🌏 Muslim Communities in Non-OIC Countries

If you are a Muslim student from India (which is not an OIC member), China’s Hui Muslim community, Russia’s Muslim populations (Tatars, Bashkirs, Chechens), or Muslim communities in Western countries, you may be eligible under the “Muslim communities” provision. Verify with the official portal and the Turkish Embassy in your country.

Practical Tips

1. Select “Yes” for Joint Scholarship Programs — the most commonly missed step When completing the Türkiye Scholarships application, the YTB-IsDB section is not automatic. You must explicitly opt in by selecting “Yes” under Joint Scholarship Programs. This is the single most important operational step in the entire application.

2. Apply at the highest eligible level for Master’s/PhD = grant If you have a Bachelor’s and are eligible for Master’s programs, apply at Master’s level, you receive a full grant, not a Qard-Hasan loan. The financial structure is fundamentally different.

3. Prepare documents in January — don’t start on February 10 The window closes February 20. Starting document preparation in the second week of February leaves little time for corrections, missing certificates, or technical issues.

4. Turkish language year is included — no Turkish needed at application The YTB-IsDB scholarship includes a one-year Turkish language preparatory course (TÖMER) for students who need it. You do not need Turkish language proficiency at application time.

5. Apply in your own language Arabic, French, Persian, Russian, Bosnian, Spanish, English, Turkish, the application is available in 8 languages. Use the language in which you are most precise and expressive for your motivation letter.

6. Contact the Turkish Embassy in your country Turkish Embassies often hold information sessions about Türkiye Scholarships and the YTB-IsDB joint program. Attend these sessions for country-specific quotas, preferences, and guidance.

FAQ

What is YTB-IsDB?

The Türkiye Scholarships – IsDB Joint Scholarship Program is co-funded by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). It funds eligible students from OIC countries and Muslim communities to study at Turkish universities.

Is Bachelor’s funding a loan or grant?

For Associate and Bachelor’s degree recipients, the scholarship is structured as a Qard-Hasan (interest-free loan). The scholarship for Master’s and PhD programs is provided as a full grant.

What are the age limits?

For Undergraduate: under 21 years. For Master’s: under 30 years. PhD programs: not older than 35.

What does it cover?

Monthly stipend, accommodation support, tuition fees, health insurance, one-year Turkish language course, and one-time round-trip airfare.

When is the application window?

Application Dates: 10 January – 20 February 2027.

Can I apply via email or agent?

No, applications are submitted exclusively through the official Türkiye Scholarships online platform. Submissions via email or other channels are disqualified.

Do I need to know Turkish?

No, the scholarship includes a one-year Turkish language preparatory course for students who need it.

Can I apply in languages other than English?

Yes, applications can be submitted in 8 languages: Turkish, Arabic, English, French, Russian, Bosnian, Persian, and Spanish.

What if I am Muslim but from a non-IsDB country?

The program is open to citizens of IsDB member countries and Muslim communities, including Muslim students from non-member countries. Verify eligibility with the Turkish Embassy in your country.

Free Tools for Your Application

• Motivation Letter: Motivation Letter Generator
• SOP: SOP Generator
• CV: Free CV Builder
• Personal Statement: Personal Statement Generator